Surgical stapling device with flexible shaft

A surgical stapling device comprising:

• a handle assembly including a stationary handle, a trigger coupled to the stationary handle, and a rotation knob;
• an elongate body including a flexible outer tube, a flexible central tube, and a flexible inner cable, the flexible outer tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the flexible outer tube fixedly coupled to the stationary handle of the handle assembly, the flexible central tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and movable within the flexible outer tube between retracted and advanced positions, the proximal portion of the flexible central tube coupled to the trigger of the handle assembly such that actuation of the trigger causes movement of the flexible central tube between its retracted and advanced positions, the flexible inner cable movable within the central tube between advanced and retracted positions and including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion of the flexible inner cable supporting an anvil retainer, the proximal portion of the flexible inner cable coupled to the rotation knob such that rotation of the rotation knob in relation to the stationary housing of the handle assembly causes movement of the flexible inner cable between its retracted and its advanced positions;
• a tool assembly including:
• a reload assembly supported on the distal portion of the outer tube, the reload assembly including a body supporting a staple cartridge having staples;
• and
• an anvil assembly coupled to the anvil retainer, the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the staple cartridge between spaced and clamped positions in response to movement of the flexible inner cable between its advanced and retracted positions;
• a rigid connector defining a cavity connecting the flexible outer tube to the body of the reload assembly, the rigid connector defining a cavity;
• and
• a rigid drive member supported on the distal portion of the flexible central tube, the rigid drive member movable within the cavity of the connector between retracted and advanced positions in response to movement of the flexible central tube between its retracted and advanced positions.

A surgical stapling device comprising:

• a handle assembly including a stationary handle, a trigger coupled to the stationary handle, and a rotation knob;
• an elongate body including an outer tube formed of flexible tubing, a central tube formed of coil pipe, and an inner cable formed of wire rope, the outer tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion of the outer tube fixedly coupled to the stationary handle of the handle assembly, the central tube having a proximal portion and a distal portion and movable within the outer tube between retracted and advanced positions, the proximal portion of the central tube coupled to the trigger of the handle assembly such that actuation of the trigger causes movement of the central tube between its retracted and advanced positions, the inner cable movable within the central tube between advanced and retracted positions and including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion supporting an anvil retainer, the proximal portion of the inner cable coupled to the rotation knob such that rotation of the rotation knob in relation to the stationary housing of the handle assembly causes movement of the inner cable between its retracted and its advanced positions;
• and
• a tool assembly including:
• a reload assembly supported on the distal portion of the outer tube, the reload assembly including a body supporting a staple cartridge having staples;
• and
• an anvil assembly coupled to the anvil retainer, the anvil assembly movable in relation to the staple cartridge between spaced and clamped positions in response to movement of the inner cable between its advanced and retracted positions.